Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, weapons manager in the film production “Rust”, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter after the fatal incident in which Alec Baldwin accidentally fired a firearm that ended the director’s life. of photography, Halyna Hutchins. The verdict, handed down by Santa Fe Judge Mary Sommer, comes after a jury found Gutierrez-Reed guilty, marking her as the first member of the team to be convicted for her role in the accidental death.
In New Mexico, involuntary manslaughter charges carry a maximum sentence of 18 months and a fine of up to $5,000. The Prosecutor’s Office sought the maximum sentence for Gutierrez-Reed, who has been detained at the Santa Fe Adult Detention Center since March, after being found responsible for involuntary manslaughter, although not for tampering with evidence. Judge Sommer last month denied a request for a new trial and denied a motion that would allow Gutierrez-Reed to be released while she appeals her conviction.
During the hearing, Judge Sommer noted Gutierrez-Reed’s lack of remorse. Before handing down the sentence, Ella Sommer expressed that Gutierrez-Reed had not taken responsibility for his actions. Before the hearing, Gutierrez-Reed, 26, had asked to be sentenced to probation instead of prison, highlighting the pain she has felt for Hutchins’ family and friends since the tragedy.
Gutierrez-Reed claimed to have taken her job seriously despite the lack of adequate resources and time. In addition, she sent a message to the film industry and the media, which, she claims, portrayed her as a “true monster.”
“My heart goes out to the film industry for the devastating pain this tragedy has caused and the old wounds that have been reopened. “I am saddened by the way the media sensationalized our traumatic tragedy and portrayed me as a complete monster, which in reality has been the complete opposite of what has been in my heart,” Gutierrez-Reed stated in the judgment.
Prosecutor Kari Morrissey urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence because of a “cascade of rapes on set” that led to Hutchins’ death, accusing Gutierrez-Reed of refusing to accept her role in the events. Craig Mizrahi, Hutchins’ agent, criticized the producers for compromising safety and hiring an inexperienced weapons handler, noting that the incident was not a simple accident but a chain of preventable events.
Director Joel Souza, who was injured in the incident, attributed the incident to Gutierrez-Reed’s mistakes that day. Family members and acquaintances also spoke about Hutchins’ impact on their lives, asking for the maximum sentence. Olga Solovey, Hutchins’ sister, participated through a pre-recorded video from Ukraine, expressing her hope that the accident would not go unpunished.
Gloria Allred, representing Hutchins’ parents and sister in a lawsuit against Rust Movie Productions, read a statement about the “serious systemic violations of safety standards” during filming. Friends of Hutchins in the industry said the ruling sends a message that could encourage improvements in safety on film sets.
The accident occurred on October 21, 2021, involving Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal. Five live cartridges were found mixed with fake ones on the set, although how they got there remains a mystery. At trial, it was argued that Gutierrez-Reed was negligent in handling weapons and ammunition, something the defense contradicted, alleging that she was used as a scapegoat.
Alec Baldwin will face a manslaughter trial scheduled to begin in July. Prosecutors allege that Baldwin, also a producer on the film, endangered others by failing to attend initial gun handling training and hiring an inexperienced gun handler. Gutierrez-Reed’s conviction could indicate the possible sentence for Baldwin if he is found guilty, as well as setting a precedent for criminal liability in future incidents of production negligence.
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